[email protected] / October 6, 2025
Spotlight for Safe Harbor of Chester County
Safe Harbor of Chester County: Providing More Than Just a Place to Sleep
Safe Harbor of Chester County proudly is the largest homeless shelter in the community and the only one specifically serving single men and women. Each year, the organization supports around 150 individuals, offering not just a place to stay but a path toward stability and self-sufficiency.
Executive Director Jessica Chappell has been leading the organization since 2023. Under her guidance, Safe Harbor has remained true to the mission it was founded on 30 years ago while implementing new programs that expand and elevate its services.
âOur new model of service really focuses on treating the whole person,â said Chappell. âWe make sure we’re doing everything we can to support people from head to toe, treating each individual who walks through our doors as someone with full potential.â
Safe Harbor’s services extend well beyond providing shelter. Residents receive intensive case management and take part in therapeutic day programs focused on employment readiness, computer literacy, mental and physical wellness, creative expression, and recovery support. Additional offerings include family reunification services, and job placement assistance.
A key component of their approach is the wraparound program, which offers ongoing case management to individuals after they transition out of the shelter and into independent living. Volunteers and staff work closely with residents to build personalized plans with the goal of securing permanent housing and fostering long-term independence.
âHumanizing our residents and operating as a trauma-informed workforce is essential,â Chappell emphasized. âItâs incredibly important to how we do our work.â
Community support plays a crucial role in Safe Harborâs efforts. Donations, both monetary and in-kind, help sustain the wide range of services offered. These partnerships allow the shelter to maintain its holistic approach.
âWe want to expand not only our services but our footprint, so we are excited to be moving toward a capital campaign to build a new building next door. This will allow us to provide transitional housing for folks,â said Chappell.
Looking ahead, Chappell and her team are exploring ways to expand their impact. Plans include more education and training in trauma response, increased transitional housing opportunities, and enhanced workforce development initiatives.
In a world where housing insecurity continues to rise, Safe Harbor of Chester County stands as a beacon of compassion, innovation, and hope. Through personalized care, community involvement, and an unwavering belief in human potential, the shelter is helping to transform lives, one person at a time.
Visit their website to learn how you can support their work.
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